Discover the Divine: Top 10 Fascinating and Fun Facts about Egyptian Gods
1. Hathor's Groove: Divine Matchmaker
Before Tinder for the soul and baby cravings, there was Hathor's groove: The ancient Egyptian goddess of music, dance, joy, and love, Hathor was the go-to divine matchmaker for women wishing to embark on the miraculous journey of motherhood, and her sweet tunes echoed in various temples like Dendera, where dedicated followers worshipped her with devout passion.
Source => en.wikipedia.org
2. Ra's Solar-Powered Speedboat Adventures
Before GPS, the ancient Egyptian sun god Ra definitely had his ways and byways sorted: Ra would cruise on his solar-powered speedboat, the Mandjet, during daytime, then moonlight on his sinister yacht, the Mesektet, at night, navigating through 12 treacherous underworld gates and regions with the help of his celestial crew, all the while battling the shifty chaos boss Apophis, for the ultimate prize of bringing daylight back.
Source => en.wikipedia.org
Did you know that the "pharaoh of sunscreen" Franz Greiter invented the sun-defending Glacier Cream in the 1930s, introducing the world to SPF and revolutionizing sun protection? Discover how this invention led to a multi-billion dollar industry! 🌞💡
=> Fun Facts about Egypt
3. Osiris: The Afterlife's Green Thumb
Who knew that the Egyptian god of the dead was also a green thumb? Yep, Osiris was like the afterlife's Alan Titchmarsh, bringing life to the soil as much as he ruled the underworld: This versatile deity was not only responsible for the afterlife but also played a major role in agriculture and fertility, with the annual flooding of the Nile rejuvenating the soil and crops, reminding us that even gods need a dynamic skillset!
Source => en.wikipedia.org
4. Decked-Out Crocodile Mummies
If you thought decking out your pet in jewelry was an Instagram-era phenomenon, think again: in ancient Egypt, the priests of Sobek, a crocodile-headed god, would deck out deceased sacred crocodiles in jewelry before mummifying them, as discovered at the temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to Sobek and Horus, along with a shrine to Hathor that housed these fabulous croc-mummies.
Source => ancient-origins.net
5. Bastet: The Powerful Feline Goddess
It's no wonder our furry feline friends have nine lives—they've got the ears of a goddess! Pro-cat-stinating belief: Bastet, the ancient Egyptian goddess, was not solely responsible for ruling over cats, but rather held enormous power, specifically as the deity of protection, pleasure, and good health, aligning her closely with the whiskered wonders who were considered her earthly mortal incarnations.
Source => egyptianmuseum.org
6. Bes: Harp-Playing Babysitter & Demon Fighter
Who needs the Tooth Fairy when there's an Egyptian deity moonlighting as a babysitter and entertaining newborns with a harp, all while sporting a lion's mane and rocking a killer dwarf aesthetic: Enter Bes, an ancient Egyptian god known for his unique protective role for women and children, merciless abilities as a demonic fighter, and his status as a good luck charm! Amulets featuring Bes were worn regularly, and even though he didn't score a temple or priesthood, his statues could be found in Abydos and Denderah as well as the homes of Egyptians eager for divine protection and entertainment for their little ones.
Source => ancientpages.com
7. Thoth: Celestial Accountant
Next time you find yourself at the celestial DMV, don't be surprised if you run into Thoth, the moon god who moonlights as the accountant of Egyptian afterlife bureaucracy: Thoth recorded the results of the heart-weighing ceremony, determining whether a person's heart balanced with Ma'at's Feather of Truth for entry into the Afterlife, ensuring an orderly and fair process in the great beyond.
Source => egyptianmuseum.org
8. Nephthys: The Winged Mourning Goddess
Wingin' it through the afterlife: Nephthys, the Egyptian goddess of mourning, not only rocked falcon wings and a kite, but she also played a pivotal role in protecting and mourning the dead alongside her sister, Isis, shielding their mummies throughout their journey to the great beyond.
Source => en.wikipedia.org
9. Anubis: The Heart-Weighing Funeral Director
Talk about a weighty job: Anubis, the jackal-headed god of Egyptian funeral services, ensured not only top-notch mummification but also served as the ultimate weigh-master. According to the Book of the Dead, Anubis would pit the deceased's heart against a feather of truth; if their heart weighed more, the afterlife express would leave the platform without them, but if the scales tipped in their favor, it was full steam ahead to the realm of eternity!
Source => egyptianmuseum.org
10. Horus: The Sun-Moon-Eyed Protector
Talk about a serious case of "I've got my eye on you": Horus, the ancient Egyptian god of kingship and sky, had the Sun as his right eye and the Moon as his left eye! This powerful combo gave birth to the Eye of Horus, a symbol of protection, royal power, and balance between order and chaos in the face of his rival, Set.
Source => en.wikipedia.org